Roof repair system and method

ABSTRACT

A roof repair system and method for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof. The roof repair system includes a tarpaulin including a front surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; and a back surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; front releasable fastening structure attached to the front surface of the tarpaulin about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface of the tarpaulin; and back releasable fastening structure attached to the back surface of the tarpaulin about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface of the tarpaulin whereby the tarpaulin can be placed over the damaged area of a roof and secured to the roof using the releasable fastening structure without requiring nails or the like to be driven into the undamaged area of the roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to roof repairs, and in particular, to a system and method for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof.

2. Background Art

Roofs, especially typical asphalt shingle roofs, are often damaged by storms, high winds, falling trees, and the like. While such damage may happen to only a small portion of a roof, it is important to repair that damaged portion as soon as possible to prevent water damage through the roof, further damage to the roof, etc. While a permanent repair can be made (e.g, new shingles, etc.), often it is necessary to make some type of temporary repair to protect the roof and building until insurance personnel can review the damage and/or professional roofers can be scheduled to make the permanent repairs, etc.

The most common temporary fix or repair is to merely place a tarpaulin over the damaged area of the roof. The tarpaulin is typically a rather large sheet of waterproofed canvas or other material used as a protective covering over the damaged areas of the roof. Such tarpaulins are normally temporally secured to the roof by a plurality of nails around the perimeter of the tarpaulins extending through the tarpaulins into the roof. The temporary tarpaulins are then removed when the permanent roof repairs are made. However, once the permanent repairs to the roof are made, unless each of the nail holes are repaired, leaks are likely to occur through the roof at each unrepaired nail hole.

Nothing in the known prior art discloses or suggests the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a system and method for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof. The concept of the present invention is to provide a system and method of securing one or more tarpaulins to cover the damaged area of a roof without requiring the tarpaulins to be nailed to the roof.

The roof repair system and method of the present invention includes a tarpaulin including a front surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; and a back surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; front releasable fastening means attached to the front surface of the tarpaulin about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface of the tarpaulin; and back releasable fastening means attached to the back surface of the tarpaulin about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface of the tarpaulin, whereby the tarpaulin can be placed over the damaged area of a roof and secured to the roof using the releasable fastening means without requiring nails or the like to be driven into the undamaged area of the roof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a tarpaulin of the roof repair system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of the tarpaulin of FIG. 1 as taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of an anchor bag of the roof repair system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the anchor bag of FIG. 3 as taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the anchor bag of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an elongated strap of the roof repair system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear or back plan view of the tarpaulin of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a roof having a damaged area.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the roof of FIG. 8 but showing the roof repair system of the present invention with portions thereof omitted or broken away for clarity and used to make a temporary repair to the roof.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of the roof of FIG. 8 but showing a portion of the roof repair system of the present invention with portions thereof omitted or broken away for clarity and used to make a temporary repair to the roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The roof repair system of the present invention is especially designed for making temporary repairs to a damaged area A of a roof R, typically a roof R having shingles S where one or more of the shingles S becomes damaged or missing because of a storm, accident or the like. The roof repair system of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-10, and identified by the numeral 11.

The roof repair system 11 includes at least one and preferably a plurality of tarpaulins 13 for covering the damaged area A of the roof R. Each tarpaulin 13 may be constructed out of various material such as a sheet of waterproofed canvas or the like commonly used as a protective covering for objects exposed to the weather, and the preferred construction of a single tarpaulin 13 will be described. Thus, the tarpaulin 13 is preferably made of a sheet of waterproof woven nylon or plastic strands, often referred to as “blue tarp” by those skilled in the art. The size and shape of the tarpaulin 13 may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the tarpaulin 13 consists of a rectangle 5 feet (1.52 meters) wide and 6 feet (1.82 meters) tall. However, various other shapes and sizes could also be used in the present invention.

The tarpaulin 13 includes a front face or surface 15 having a perimeter with a top edge 17, a bottom edge 19, a left side edge 21, and a right side edge 23. The tarpaulin 13 includes a back face or surface 25 having a perimeter with a top edge 27, a bottom edge 29, a left side edge 31, and a right side edge 33.

The roof repair system 11 includes front releasable fastening means 35 attached to the front surface 15 of each tarpaulin 13 about at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13. The releasable fastening means 35 may be constructed out of various material such as snaps, buttons, or the like commonly used to releasably secure items together. Preferably, the releasable fastening means 35 consists of one or more elongated strips of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13. The size and shape of the releasable fastening means 35 may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the releasable fastening means 35 includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) long strips 37 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 9 inches (22.86 centimeters) from the top edge 17 to the center of the strips 37, centered between the left and right side edges 21, 23 with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them; includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) long strips 39 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the bottom edge 19 to the center of the strips 39, centered between the left and right side edges 21, 23 with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them; includes a single 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 5 feet (1.52 meters) long strip 41 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the left side edge 21 to the center of the strip 41, centered between the top and bottom edges 17, 19; and includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) long strips 43 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the right side edge 23 to the center of the strips 43, centered between the top and bottom edges 17, 19, with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them.

The roof repair system 11 includes back releasable fastening means 45 attached to the back surface 25 of each tarpaulin 13 about at least a portion of the perimeter of the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13. The releasable fastening means 45 may be constructed out of various material such as snaps, buttons, or the like commonly used to releasably secure items together. Preferably, the releasable fastening means 45 consists of one or more elongated strips of hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13. The size and shape of the releasable fastening means 45 may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the releasable fastening means 45 includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) long strips 49 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the bottom edge 29 to the center of the strips 39, centered between the left and right side edges 31, 33 with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them; includes a single 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 5 feet (1.52 meters) long strip 51 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the left side edge 31 to the center of the strip 51, centered between the top and bottom edges 27, 29; and includes a pair of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide, 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) long strips 53 of loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like attached to the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13 approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the right side edge 33 to the center of the strips 53, centered between the top and bottom edges 27, 29, with a 6 inch (15.24 centimeters) space between them.

The roof repair system 11 preferably includes a plate member 55 attached to each tarpaulin 13 at the top edge thereof. The plate member 55 may be attached to either the front or back surface 15, 25 of the tarpaulin 13 but is shown in the preferred embodiment as being attached adjacent the top edge 27 of the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13. The plate member 55 may be constructed out of various material such as sheet metal or the like. Preferably, the plate member 55 consists of one or more elongated strips of 1/16 inch (0.16 centimeter) thick, stiff plastic or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13. The size and shape of the plate member 55 may vary. In the preferred embodiment, the plate member 55 includes four 4 inch (10.16 centimeters) wide, 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) long strips 49 of thin, substantially stiff plastic or the like made from typical vertical replacement blinds and sewn or otherwise attached to the back surface 25 of the tarpaulin 13 substantially adjacent the top edge 27 of the back surface 25. The outer ends of the outer two strips 49 are preferably positioned substantially adjacent the respective left and right side edges 31, 33, with the outer ends of the two inner strips 49 positioned approximately 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) from the inner ends of a respective outer strip 49, leaving an approximately 12 inch (30.48 centimeter) space between the inner ends of the two inner strips 49.

The roof repair system 11 includes at least one and preferably a plurality of anchor bags 59 for anchoring the tarpaulin 13 to the roof R. Each anchor bag 59 may be constructed out of various material such as heavy material that does not retain water and is extremely durable, and the construction of a single anchor bag 59 will be described. Thus, the anchor bag 59 is preferably made of a heavy, porous canvas. The size and shape of the each anchor bag 59 may vary. In the preferred embodiment, each anchor bag 59 consists of an elongated tube-like body 61 having an opened top 63 and closed sides 65 and bottom 67, with a 7 inch (17.78 centimeters) width and a 24 inch (60.96 centimeters) length. However, various other shapes and sizes could also be used in the present invention.

The body 61 can be filled with ballast such as gravel 69 or the like. Each anchor bag 59 preferably includes closure means 71 such as coacting strips of hook and loop Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to opposite lips of the opened top 63 of the body 61 and extending substantially completely across the opened top 63 for securely closing the opened top 63 of the body 61 after the body 61 is filled with gravel 69.

The roof repair system 11 preferably includes releasable fastening means 73 attached to each anchor bag 59 for releasably securing the anchor bag 59 to the front releasable fastening means 35 attached to the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13, etc. The releasable fastening means 73 may include three pieces 75 of 4 inch (10.16 centimeters) long by 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the front surface 77 of the body 61, mounted transversely across the body 61. In addition, the releasable fastening means 73 may include one piece 79 of 12 inch (30.48 centimeters) long by 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like, sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the rear surface 81 of the body 61, mounted lengthwise along the body 61.

The roof repair system 11 preferably includes one or more anchor bag handles attached to each anchor bag 59. Preferably, the roof repair system 11 includes an end anchor bag handle 83 attached to each end of each anchor bag 59, and a side anchor bag handle 85 attached to each side edge of each anchor bag 59. Each anchor bag handle 83, 85 is preferably made of 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) wide woven nylon tow strap material with the opposite ends thereof sewn, glued or otherwise attached to a respective portion of the body 61 of each anchor bag 59. The end anchor bag handles 83 preferably have a length of 9 inches (22.86 centimeters), while the side anchor bag handles 85 preferably have a length of 7 inches (17.78 centimeters).

The roof repair system 11 may include one or more elongated straps 87 (preferably three per tarpaulin 13) for attachment to the anchor bag handles 83, 85. Each strap 87 is preferably made of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide woven nylon tow strap material having a 20 feet (6.1 meters) length.

The roof repair system 11 preferably includes anchor bag handle snap means 89 affixed to the anchor bag handles 83, 85. More specifically, each anchor bag handle 83, 85 preferably has a male snap 91 and a female snap 93 attached thereto.

The roof repair system 11 preferably includes strap snap means 95 affixed to each strap 87. More specifically, each strap 87 preferably has alternating male and female snaps 97, 99 attached thereto approximately 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) apart. The strap snap means 95 coact with the anchor bag handle snap means 89 to allow the straps 87 to be removably attached to the anchor bag handles 83, 85.

The preferred roof repair method of the present invention for making temporary repairs to a damaged area A of a roof R includes the step of first providing the roof repair system 11. Next, depending on the size of the damaged area A of the roof R, one or more tarpaulins 13 are placed over the damaged area A. If the damaged area A is larger than can be covered by a single tarpaulin 13, a plurality of tarpaulins 13 can be arranged with the sides thereof overlapping and joined together via the various combinations of the front and back releasable fastening means 35, 45 (see FIG. 9) as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. When the roof R has shingles S, it is preferred that the top of the tarpaulin 13 be inserted beneath a row of shingles S directly above the damaged area A of the roof R. This can be easily and quickly done by merely inserting the plate member 55 beneath that row of shingles S. The tarpaulin 13 (or tarpaulins 13) is then secured to the roof R using the anchor bags 59 (and straps 87 if necessary or desired) without having to drive any nails into the undamaged section of the roof R, etc. This can be done by filling the body 61 of each desired anchor bag 59 approximately ⅔'s with medium river bed gravel 69 or the like, closing the opened top 63 of the body 61, and then securing the anchor bags 59 to the tarpaulins 13 (or tarpaulins 13). This securing step can be accomplished merely by meshing the loop side Velcro-brand fastening tape of the releasable fastening means 35 on the front surface 15 of the tarpaulin 13 with the hook side Velcro-brand fastening tape of the releasable fastening means 73 on the body 61 of the anchor bags 59. The size and shape of the anchor bags 59 allows the anchor bags 59 to be placed in a valley of the roof R to secure the tarpaulin 13 over a valley when necessary. Also, if desired or necessary, one or more straps 87 can be used to help secure the tarpaulins 13 by linking all or a plurality of the anchor bags 59 together by snapping various ones of the anchor bag handle snap means 89 and strap snap means 95 together, etc. Alternatively, when the roof R is very steep, one or more straps 87 may be used to counterweight one or more anchor bags 59 by attaching anchor bags 59 to each end of a strap 87, attaching one or more anchor bags 59 to a tarpaulin 13 and hanging the other anchor bag 59 over the ridge of the roof R on the side of the roof R opposite the tarpaulin 13 (see FIG. 10). As thus installed, the roof repair system 11 will provide a temporary repair of the damaged area A of the roof R until permanent repairs can be made. When it is time to make permanent repairs (e.g., replace shingles S), the tarpaulin 13 (or tarpaulins 13) can be easily and quickly removed without further damage to the roof R by merely separating the Velcro-brand fastening tape or the like holding the anchor bags 59 to the tarpaulin 13 (or tarpaulins 13), and then, if necessary, sliding the plate member 55 beneath that row of shingles S, and lifting off the tarpaulin 13, etc.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred use therefor, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention. 

1. A roof repair system for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof; said roof repair system comprising: (a) a tarpaulin including a front surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; and a back surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; (b) front releasable fastening means attached to said front surface of said tarpaulin about at least a portion of said perimeter of said front surface of said tarpaulin; and (c) back releasable fastening means attached to said back surface of said tarpaulin about at least a portion of said perimeter of said front surface of said tarpaulin.
 2. The roof repair system of claim 1 in which is included a plate member attached to said back surface of said tarpaulin at said top edge thereof.
 3. The roof repair system of claim 1 in which is included an anchor bag for anchoring said tarpaulin to the roof.
 4. The roof repair system of claim 3 in which is included releasable fastening means attached to said anchor bag for releasably securing said anchor bag to said front releasable fastening means attached to said front surface of said tarpaulin.
 5. The roof repair system of claim 4 in which is included an anchor bag handle attached to said anchor bag.
 6. The roof repair system of claim 5 in which is included an elongated strap for attachment to said anchor bag handle.
 7. The roof repair system of claim 6 in which is included anchor bag handle snap means affixed to said anchor bag handle; and in which is included elongated strap snap means affixed to said elongated strap for coacting with said anchor bag handle snap means to attach said elongated strap to said anchor bag handle.
 8. A roof repair system for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof; said roof repair system comprising: (a) a plurality of tarpaulins, each of said tarpaulins including a front surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; and a back surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; (b) front releasable fastening means attached to said front surface of each of said tarpaulins about at least a portion of said perimeter of said front surface of each of said tarpaulins; (c) back releasable fastening means attached to said back surface of each of said tarpaulins about at least a portion of said perimeter of said front surface of each of said tarpaulins. he roof repair system of claim 1 in which is included a plate member attached to said back surface of each of said tarpaulins at said top edge thereof; (d) a plurality of anchor bags for anchoring each of said tarpaulins to the roof; (e) releasable fastening means attached to each of said anchor bags for releasably securing each of said anchor bags to said front releasable fastening means surface attached to said front surface of each of said tarpaulins; (f) anchor bag handles attached to each of said anchor bags; (g) a plurality of elongated straps for attachment to one or more of said anchor bag handles; (h) anchor bag handle snap means affixed to said anchor bag handles; (i) elongated strap snap means affixed to said elongated straps for coacting with said anchor bag handle snap means to attach said elongated straps to said anchor bag handles.
 9. A roof repair method for making temporary repairs to a damaged area of a roof; said roof repair including the steps of: (a) providing a tarpaulin including a front surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; and a back surface having a perimeter with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge; (b) providing front releasable fastening means attached to said front surface of said tarpaulin about at least a portion of said perimeter of said front surface of said tarpaulin; (c) providing back releasable fastening means attached to said back surface of said tarpaulin about at least a portion of said perimeter of said front surface of said tarpaulin; (d) providing a plate member attached to said back surface of said tarpaulin at said top edge thereof; and (e) placing said tarpaulin over the damaged area of said roof with said plate member extending under a portion of the roof material. 